Signature Moments: Big 2009 Injuries

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 19, 2009

Signature Moments: Big 2009 Injuries

Tim Tebow

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow sustained a concussion during the Gators' 41-7 Week 4 throttling of Kentucky. Though Tebow ultimately did not miss any time and returned after a bye to complete 11-of-16 passes in a 13-3 win over LSU, the injury kept the college football world on edge for two weeks.

QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham

Oklahoma's offense took a hard hit in Week 1 when Sam Bradford (pictured), the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, and Jermaine Gresham, a 2008 All-America, were both injured. Bradford returned in Week 6 to lead Oklahoma to a 33-7 win over Baylor, but Gresham, his favorite target, is lost for the year.

Michael Floyd

Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd broke his clavicle during the Irish's win over Michigan State in Week 3. Fellow receiver Golden Tate has picked up the slack, but the Irish would receive a huge boost if rumors prove true and Floyd returns for the November 7 game against Navy.

Dont'a Hightower

Hightower took a helmet to the knee against Arkansas, and the Tide's worst fears were confirmed after when doctors diagnosed the injury as a torn left knee ligament. The explosive sophomore underwent surgery and will be out for the season.

Walter Thurmond

The Ducks' defensive leader underwent season-ending surgery after injuring his knee in Oregon's 42-3 win over California. The injury not only deprived the Ducks of an explosive athlete (Thurmond had scored two touchdowns in the season's first three weeks), but of an important clubhouse presence.

DJ Harper

Boise running back DJ Harper tore his ACL in the Bronco's Week 3 game versus Fresno State. Junior tailback Jeremy Avery and sophomore Doug Martin have stepped up to take his place and helped Boise maintain a perfect record.

WR Ronald Johnson and RB Stafon Johnson

USC suffered two major losses when receiver Ronald Johnson (left) broke his collarbone and Stafon Johnson (right) suffered a freak weightlifting accident. It's unclear if Johnson will be able to play football again, but the 5-1 Trojans have used his loss as motivation and could get a huge boost if RoJo, who recently practiced for the first time since August, returns.

LB Jordan Futch and T Marcus Forston

Miami's young, athletic offense has earned it much praise, but its defense suffered big loses when Futch and Forston (pictured) were lost for the year. Futch injured his knee in the Hurricanes' game versus Florida A&M, while Forston's lingering shoulder injury just won't go away.

Darren Evans

Hokies running back Darren Evans tore his ACL back in August, which seemed like the end for Virginia Tech. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams have rallied to lead the Hokies, whose only loses are to Alabama and Georgia Tech.

Kendall Hunter

Kendall Hunter was injured in Oklahoma State's Week 2 loss to Houston. Between losing Hunter, defensive back Perrish Cox and possibly standout receiver Dez Bryant (who has been ruled ineligible), the Cowboys' promising 2009 season has not gone according to plan.

Matt Grothe

The Bulls lost Grothe, their senior leader, for the season when he tore his ACL in USF's 59-0 destruction of Charleston Southern. Freshman and Tallahassee native B.J. Daniels has filled in admirably, but losing their record-setting QB was still crushing for the Bulls.

Jared Norton

Texas' senior linebacker will miss the rest of the season after sustaining an injury in the season opener. Texas has found a way to fill the void, but after graduation and the NFL depleted its 2008 defense, losing Norton to shoulder surgery was a big hit.<br><br>Who would you add to the list? Send suggestions to siwriters@simail.com